Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake is the ultimate summer dessert recipe. Sweet, creamy, plus all you need is 5 ingredients!
The heat index has been in the upper 90s for the past few weeks and while I’m someone who’d normally sit outside until my blood starts to boil, even I have to admit it’s brutal out there. Not as brutal as summers in my parent’s house growing up though, where they had two rules once school let out:
- No TV. Just straight up canceled cable for three months.
- No air conditioning until it reached 90 degrees. Inside the dang house.
We were totally unplugged, and as much as we complained in the moment, I’m so glad they did what they did. Let me be clear – I’m so glad they canceled cable and shooed us outdoors every single day, NOT that they were so strict with the AC. Going to bed with fans blasting hot air 5 inches away from your face is not a good time!
As a result of my parent’s rules though, my brothers and I left the house each morning after breakfast, maybe stopped home for a quick lunch, but most days didn’t come home until dinnertime. Our days were filled with friends, swimming, creek walking, bike riding, chalk drawing, bug collecting, and doing anything that didn’t involve sitting in a hot house staring at a blank television.
Today I’m sharing a recipe that reminds me of those simpler days. No frills, no fuss, just pure deliciousness. Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake calls for just five ingredients, no baking (did I mention how hot it is here?!) is gluten free, and super easy too.
Three Layers of Lusciousness
My Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake features homemade whipped cream layered with sliced fresh strawberries and crispy gluten free sugar cookies. That’s it!
The cookies soften in the whipped cream while they meld together in the refrigerator overnight to create a rustic yet incredible dessert that your friends and family will devour.
Origins of Icebox Cakes
Icebox cakes were introduced in America during the 1930s when refrigerators – originally called iceboxes – started to become more mainstream in people’s homes. Cookies or wafers were layered with a creamy filling then placed in the refrigertor to set overnight. The result is a soft, cake-like dessert that requires zero baking time. It’s the perfect treat for a heat wave.
We make this gluten free dessert recipe for Mother’s Day, the 4th of July (swap half the strawberries with blueberries for a festive twist) and every moment in between. Since the icebox cake needs to sit in the refrigerator overnight it’s a great dish to prep a day or two ahead of time. Once it’s dessert time at your get together or cook out, pull out of the refrigerator, slice, and serve. SO GOOD!
Ready to get started?
Step 1: Make the Homemade Whipped Cream
You can of course use store-bought whipped cream — or dairy free whipped cream like SoDelicious Coconut Whip — for this recipe but I’M TELLING YOU, take 5 minutes and make homemade instead. There are few things better than homemade whipped cream, and it’s such a cinch to make.
Add heavy whipping cream and vanilla to the bowl of an electric mixer (or in a glass bowl if you’re using a hand mixer,) that’s been chilled in the freezer then gradually add powdered sugar while the mixer is on low. Turn the speed up as the cream thickens then whip until you have…whipped cream!
Step 2: Layer the Ingredients
Spread a thin layer of the whipped cream into the bottom of an 8×8 baking dish then top with a layer of gluten free crispy sugar cookies. Next add another layer of whipped cream followed by sliced strawberries. Repeat the layers – cookies, whipped cream, and strawberries – two more times to create three layers total.
Tip: Save the “prettiest” 1/3 of the strawberry slices for a nice presentation on the top layer!
These are the cookies I use in this strawberry icebox cake: Enjoy Life Sugar Crisp Crunchy Cookies soften beautifully but still retain a little texture, which I love. You’ll need two boxes and you can find them in the gluten free aisle of the grocery store. If for some reason you can’t find these exact cookies, any crispy sugar cookies should work or even graham crackers if you’re in a pinch.
Step 3: Cover and Refrigerate
Last step is to cover the dish with saran wrap then refrigerate overnight, or until the cookies have softened (6-8 hours.) When it’s time to eat, slice, serve, and savor the sweet and simple taste of summer. Enjoy!
More Easy Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- 12 oz crispy gluten free sugar cookies, or gluten free graham crackers
- 1-1/2 lbs strawberries, trimmed and sliced
Directions
For the whipped cream:
- Place the bowl and whisk attachment of an electric mixer, or a large glass bowl and the beaters if using a hand mixer, in the freezer to chill for at least 10 minutes. Add heavy whipping cream and vanilla to the chilled bowl then whip on low speed while gradually adding powdered sugar. Gradually increase the speed as the whipped cream thickens then whip until the cream can hold its shape but is not lumpy.
For the Strawberry Shortcake:
- Spread a thin layer of whipped cream into the bottom of an 8x8" baking dish. Layer in 9 cookies, spread on another layer of whipped cream, then top with 1/3 of the strawberries. Repeat layers - cookies, whipped cream, and strawberries - two more times to create three layers total (you might have a little extra whipped cream at the end.) Cover dish with saran wrap then refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, slice then serve.
Notes
- Since the homemade whipped cream has no stabilizers, keep the icebox cake in the refrigerator when not serving.
- You can use 2 tubs of SoDelicious Coconut Whipped Topping, or your favorite DF whipped topping, as a dairy free "whipped cream" alternative.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Hey, I’m thinking of making this for Christmas in new Zealand. Can I use store bought gluten free shortbread cookies and make it a a day before?
I made this for a summer dinner party last weekend and it was so good! As a celiac, I struggle to find yummy desserts that are gluten free. This one was awesome…love those cookies! I wasn’t sure if they would soften but I made the dessert the night before and they were perfectly soft and cake-like by the time I served the cake. Can’t wait to have an excuse to make again.
I’m so glad the cake was a hit, Emily! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
This was the most delicious dessert. Thanks so much for sharing it. I was neverous about the whip cream. It was so worth it
Oh I’m so glad you made it! Isn’t homemade whipped cream just the best?!
I used chocolate chip cookies instead of sugar cookies and it still came out great.
Oh, this looks so delicious and beautiful! Am making it for a family get together!
So I couldn’t find the sugar cookie you called for so I got a 9×13 pan and split it with gluten-free Snickerdoodle vs Pecan Shortbread! Truly mixing them would be delightful too but it made for a super yummy dessert! Thanks for the recipe!!
I think chocolate cookies would probably be awesome as well!
YUM!! Great idea – I’m so glad you were able to make it work!
I love this recipe, and use it every year on the 4th of July. I add fresh blueberries to the top to make the design of a flag. It stays delicious in the fridge for a few days!!! Thanks, Kristin :)
So festive!! So glad you love the recipe, Marian! :)
Do you have suggestions how to make this dairy free, I do not have a good substitute. What homemade recipe would you use to replace the whipping cream? I love your website! Thank you!
Hi Deborah! I’ve used SoDelicious Coco Whip in here, which is coconut-based, many times with wonderful results.
I am new to your site and I cannot wait to try some of your recipes… This looks wonderful!
I used extra creamy cool whip, time constraints. And really super yummy gluten free vanilla wafers. And added bananas. Great dessert!!! My husband doesn’t have celiac disease and frequently tolerates some things just because he loves me. This was a hit!!
LOVE the idea of adding bananas in here! Definitely trying next time. :) So glad you enjoyed!!
Oooh, I love the idea of bananas :) will have to try that.
I tweaked it, using gluten free honey grahams because I couldn’t find the cookies, it was a hit. Delicious!!!
Anyone think arroroot cookies could work instead?
Does this need to be refrigerated overnight before serving or will a couple of hours be enough? I want it tonight for dessert ?
Haha I feel you! You could eat the dessert immediately – the time is just to let the cookies soften, so the longer they sit the better. :)